New details continue to emerge about Kevin Hart's involvement in a violent car crash last Sunday.
As we've previously reported, the incident took place at 12:45 a.m. on Sept. 1 on a notoriously dangerous route leading into Malibu, Calif. The 40-year-old comedian was seated on the front passenger side of his 1970 Plymouth Barracuda when it veered off Mulholland Highway, went through a fence and landed in a ditch. According to a collision report obtained by E! News, 28-year-old Jared Black was driving both Hart and another passenger, 31-year-old Rebecca Broxterman, at the time of the accident. Broxterman is Black's reported fiancée and personal trainer to Hart's wife, Eniko Hart. In July, Hart purchased the vintage car as a birthday present to himself. On Instagram, he dubbed it the "Menace."
In a 911 call placed at the scene and obtained by E! News, a witness told the operator it looked as if the vehicle's "roof [was] crushed" and the door "smashed." The caller noted he saw only two individuals, explaining in the audio that both were "conscious" but "scared because they're stuck in there."
Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol said Hart left the scene at some point to seek medical attention. According to reports, Hart's security team drove him to his home in Calabasas.
The collision report cites Hart's injuries as "major," Black's as "major" and Broxterman's as "minor." Black, whose current condition is still unknown, was airlifted to UCLA Medical Center. Authorities have said alcohol is not a factor in the crash.
In a second 911 call obtained by E! News and placed at 2:13 a.m. PST from Hart's home, an unknown female caller told the operator a man, presumed to be Hart, was "not coherent at all" and couldn't "move" after a car crash.
The caller, who said Hart was breathing, not vomiting and did not look pale, further claimed in the audio that the crash happened "like 20 minutes ago" outside of the couple's "gated community." She also noted an injury to Hart's spine.
Hart was ultimately hospitalized at Northridge Hospital, where he underwent back surgery and was said to be "doing fine." According to TMZ, he suffered three spinal fractures. A spokesperson for the star's production company told E! News in a statement that Hart is "expected to have a full recovery very soon."
Eniko, who married Hart in 2016, shared a similar update when paparazzi caught her heading into the hospital he was being treated at.
"He's great," the 35-year-old said. "He's going to be just fine. He's good. Everybody's good."
According to TMZ's report in early September, Hart was expected to be released from the hospital by the end of the week, but will "require extensive physical therapy" to fully recuperate from his injuries. On Sept. 11, it was reported he was officially discharged. Despite a possibly long road ahead, Hart can rest assured he has Hollywood's full support.
In addition to receiving well wishes from his celebrity friends, Hart's former co-star and close pal Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson actually cut his honeymoon short to make an appearance on Kelly Clarkson's upcoming talk show on Hart's behalf. "When my son @KevinHart4real goes down with an injury, his big daddy steps in," Johnson tweeted Wednesday. "I did leave my honeymoon early (Lauren approved cos she LOVES Kelly) and now me and Kelly are new best friends."
While appearing on Clarkson's talk show, Johnson gave an update on his pal, sharing, "Everything is good, I spoke with Kevin, I actually refer to him as my son. I connected with him today."
Johnson went on to joke, "And you know what? These things happen in life and thankfully he was strapped in nicely to his car seat. That's real love."
"I love the guy, he's one of my best friends," Johnson said. "And honestly, I mean, thank God, it could've been a lot worse. So, he's a lucky man, and he knows it too. I wish him the best and a speedy recovery and I'm gonna see him soon."
In a 37-page traffic collision report obtained by E! News, the California Highway Patrol concluded Black, who was determined to be the driver of the car, caused the collision. The report said he quickly accelerated as he made a right turn, which caused the right-rear tire of the car to "break traction." "Due to his reckless, sudden and rapid acceleration," Black "lost control" of the car as the left-rear tire broke traction, according to the report.
"A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving," the report summarized, citing his violation. According to the report, an inspection of the car was also conducted, but no "deficiencies" were located that "would have been a primary or contributing factor in the collision."
Meanwhile, on Oct. 10, Hart broke his silence on the crash. In a statement released through his attorney, Andrew Brettler, and obtained by E! News, the star said, "I have nothing but love for Jared and wish him and Rebecca a speedy recovery."
As for the actor's recovery, Brettler explained Hart is not officially "back to work" as he only worked a few hours in mid-October shooting promos for Jumanji: The Next Level, noting he was not in full costume for the shoots and sat through most of the day even though he can walk on his own. Brettler said Hart doesn't anticipate going back to work full-time until early next year if his physical therapy stays on track.
Additionally, Brettler confirmed that Hart suffered multiple fractures. "Kevin's committed to the physical therapy regimen and is getting stronger every day. [He] feels extremely lucky and blessed," he said.
(This story was originally published Sept. 4, 2019 at 7:03 p.m. PST)